Housing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

In this section, we have tried to address many frequently asked questions. As always, if you do not find the information you are seeking, please feel free to contact our office.

Area Offices Breaking Your Housing Contract Building Types: Co-ed/Single Sex/Traditional/Suite Check-out Procedures Disability/Medical Accommodations Emergency Work Orders (houskeeping requests, maintenance requests) Ethernet Connections Room Occupancy Fitness Facilities Holiday Closings Housekeeping Requests (emergency work orders, maintenance requests) Keys Leaving the Corps of Cadets (Freshman) Lofts and Wooden Structures Mail Services Maintenance Requests (emergency work orders, housekeeping requests)

Parking Pest Control Phone Services Recycling Residence Hall Lists Room Assignments Room Changes Room Rates Roommate Issues Smoking Policy Television/Cable Service Trash Disposal Visitation Options What to Bring/Leave at Home Withdrawals/Resignations Work Orders Your Responsibilities as a Student

Area Offices

What is an Area Office?
An area office is a place where students can take advantage of a wide range of services in a "one-stop-service" environment. There is an area office located within each residence hall community. You can take advantage of the following convenient services offered by your Area Office:

• Key loans for lost keys and room changes
• Room changes (requests and approvals)
• Housing Services Requests (including extermination requests)
• Work Orders (for broken and damaged furnishings or facilities within your room or hall)
• Group space reservations
• Critical incident response
• Roommate conflict mediations and resolutions
• Funding approvals and processing for RA and Hall Council programming
• Hall Supervisor and RA supervision
• Mailboxes and package pick-up for most area residents are located in close proximity to area offices. Exceptions include: Brodie, Rasche, Monteith, Thomas, Main Campbell, Hillcrest, and Oak Lane residence halls. These halls have individual mailrooms in the building. Packages for residents of the Upper Quad and Oak Lane communities are available for pick-up in 23 Owens Hall. Residents of Main Campbell and Hillcrest Halls pick-up packages in the Summit mailroom located in Ambler-Johnston Hall (1st floor Ambler-Johnston opposite WAJ elevators).
• The area office does not provide mail services or change for vending and other purposes

Your Area Office is also a source of a wide variety of information:

• General campus and area information
• Campus event information
• RA, RHF, Hall Council and university program information
• Clarification of questions about university policy and procedures
• Information about the University Judicial System process
• Information about Student Programs and Virginia Tech employment opportunities including student jobs in residence halls and dining centers

Who do I contact if I have a problem?

1. Your RA: Student leader who lives on your floor.
2. The Hall Supervisor: Graduate or undergraduate students who live in and supervise certain aspects of the buildings.
3. The Residence Director: Professional full-time staff member who is the supervisor for all residence hall staff.
4. The Area Office Manager: Runs the daily operations of the area office.
5. The Area Coordinator: Supervises the Area Office Manager, and the rest of the staff in the area buildings.

Breaking Your Housing Contract

Virginia Tech seeks to provide rooms for students at the lowest possible rate. For this reason, the University must operate the residence halls on a contract basis for the full academic year. Summer session contracts are in force for both summer sessions if the student is enrolled. Each student who resides on campus is required to sign a Housing/Dining Contract prior to assignment. When the Housing/Dining Contract is signed and returned, it becomes a legally binding agreement between the student and the University.

As specified in the Housing/Dining Contract, the contract shall be terminated if the student completes requirements for graduation, or for any other reason is not enrolled in the University. (If the student subsequently returns to the University during the contract period, the contract shall be reactivated upon his or her re-enrollment.) The University reserves the right to terminate the contract in the interest of order, health, maximum utilization of facilities, or disaster after due notice to the student.

Release from the contract for considerations other than those listed above will be made upon the recommendation of the Contract Review Committee. A request for termination does not automatically break the contract. The committee will consider extenuating circumstances with regard to the impact upon both the student and the University. For more information, visit www.studentprograms.vt.edu/housing/contractrelease.php.

Building Types: Co-ed/Single Sex/Traditional/Suite

Co-educational (Co-ed) Housing
Both male and female residents live in the building. Gender separations within the building are based on wing or floor of the traditional style buildings, or by individual suites (all rooms in the suite are of the same gender) for suite-style building.

Single-Sex Buildings
All of the residents of the building are of the same gender.

Traditional Style Rooms
Traditional style housing refers to the multiple occupancy rooms on a hallway sharing a common bathroom on the hall. The housekeeping staff cleans the common hallway bathrooms on a regular basis.

Suite Style Rooms
A living option available in Cochrane, Payne, Harper, Hillcrest, Oak Lane houses, Peddrew-Yates, and New Residence Hall - East where students share a semi-private bathroom with a small number of students and, in some suites, a small living area. Most rooms in the suites are double-occupancy (single rooms for undergraduate students are highly limited on campus). Suite residents are responsible for the common suite area. Resident Advisors may enter the suites as part of their duty rounds. The housekeeping staff cleans the shared bathrooms on a regular basis.

Check-out Procedures

Check-out During the Semester due to Resignation/Withdrawal

1. Obtain Student Resignation/Withdrawal form from your Academic Dean or from the University Registrar.

2. Obtain the appropriate "academic" signatures on form. Cadets must also obtain Commandant's signature.

3. Remove your belongings from room and clean room. All personal effects must be removed from University property. Failure to do so will result in additional per diem fees and/or storage charges. We will not be responsible for abandoned personal property.

4. Check out of room with any RA staff member from your building, using the Room Condition form on file in Head RA office.

5. Checking out during Student Programs office hours (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., M-F): bring your Student Resignation/Withdrawal form to your area office (close to where you pick up your mail for most residents) or to 109 East Eggleston Hall, the main housing office. If you have checked out of your room, we will sign your Student Resignation/Withdrawal form. Return this form to the University Registrar.

Checking out during evening or weekend hours (outside Student Programs office hours): give signed and completed Room Condition form, keys, and Student Resignation/Withdrawal form to RA staff member from your building. The RA will bring the form to the area housing office. If everything is satisfactory, we will sign the Student Resignation/Withdrawal form, and forward it to the University Registrar via campus mail. These materials are time-sensitive. To be sure that all paperwork reaches its destination in a timely manner, you should arrange to check out during regular office hours and personally deliver the materials to our office and to the University Registrar. Student Programs assumes no responsibility for lost or delayed Student Resignation/Withdrawal forms.

6. We will not sign your Student Resignation/Withdrawal form unless you have checked out of your room. If you have not fulfilled all check-out requirements, you will be responsible for any ensuing fees and/or penalties associated with your actions.

7. Checking out before mid-semester (as specified by the University refund schedule administered by Student Accounts): you will receive a pro-rated refund of housing and dining fees. Checking out after mid-semester: you will receive a pro-rated refund of dining fees; no housing refund accrues following mid-semester deadline. Refunds are processed according to the actual day of check-out. Refunds, less any outstanding charges owed to the University, are processed through the Office of the Bursar. You will receive any refund due within four to six weeks. Questions about refunds, such as the mailing address that will be used or if direct deposit is available, should be directed to Student Accounts.

Checking out after mid-semester: you will receive a pro-rated refund of dining fees; no housing refund accrues following mid-semester deadline.

Refunds are processed according to the actual day of check-out. Refunds, less any outstanding charges owed to the University, are processed through Student Accounts at the University, and the Treasurer's office in Richmond. You will receive any refund due within four to six weeks. Questions about refunds should be directed to Student Accounts.

Express Check-out
An option for students to check-out of their residence hall room at the end of a semester without an appointment with a student staff member. Students who choose this option relinquish their right to appeal damage charges.

End-of-Semester Check-out
At the end of each semester, residents are expected to check out within 24 hours of completing their last exam. Students found in the building after closing or before opening are subject to trespassing charges or immediate removal by the Virginia Tech Police Department.

Disability/Medical Accommodations

The Office of Student Programs cooperates with the Services for Students with Disabilities Office and Schiffert Health Center to provide desired assistance and/or accommodations. Students who are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office, which coordinates services across many different departments.

Students requesting special accommodation due to a medical condition, disability, or other situation that may affect on-campus living should complete the "Request for Special Accommodation in Housing Assignment" form which is available in 109 East Eggleston Hall. When requested, this form will also be mailed or faxed to you.

It is required that your home physician or a Schiffert Health Center physician completes the form (and returns the form to Schiffert Health Center in the case of the home physician.) This will be reviewed by the Chief Medical Officer of the University who will then forward a recommendation to the housing office.

The earlier that we are aware of your needs the more successful we will be in accommodating you.

Emergency Work Orders (housekeeping requests, maintenance requests)

The housekeeping and maintenance staff of Student Programs takes care of the residence halls, creating a clean and well-maintained environment for our students. At night and on weekends, our on-call emergency staff is able to respond to situations quickly. Never attempt to fix something yourself.

If you have a housekeeping or maintenance need, your first point of contact is your resident advisor. The RA will evaluate the situation and submit a work order to our staff. In the event of an emergency (see below), the RA will contact our on-call staff to deal with any problem.

Emergencies
Anytime there is running water (a stopped up sink is not an emergency, water flowing onto the floor is), electrical problems, or safety issues (broken glass, body spills, etc.) please contact the RA staff immediately. During the day, the housing staff can be contacted directly in an emergency or to follow up on a previous request at:

• (540) 231-1111 Facilities Helpdesk
• (540) 231-6207 Main Housing office

Our office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

After 4:30 p.m., please contact your RA staff member, or if necessary - the Virginia Tech Police at (540) 231-6411.

There is no charge for repairs or maintenance to your room resulting from normal use. However, you will be financially responsible for repairs due to vandalism, misuse, or abuse.

Ethernet Connections

Every student living on campus will have Ethernet access. During the first week of classes and move-in weekend there will be specialized staff members who can help you connect to the Internet. Look for the GET CONNECTED logo for information. Throughout the year there will also be a Resident Computer Consultant living in the building for any computer problems you may have.

Ethernet refers to the wires and electronics, which connect you to the Virginia Tech network and to the Internet. Ethernet is up to 500 times faster than a typical modem or CBX data connection. You will have rapid access to your e-mail, class files, library databases, and the web. You'll need a 10BaseT Ethernet card that works with your computer.

Room Occupancy

Expanded Occupancy (Temporary Housing)
At the beginning of the year, some students may be assigned as a third person in a room, in a converted study lounge, or as a roommate of a resident advisor. This occurs when the demand for on-campus housing exceeds the supply. Most expanded housing rooms are classified as temporary housing. We reduce temporary expanded housing rooms as quickly as possible. A pro-rated portion of the room fee is rebated to all individuals who are assigned to temporary expanded housing rooms for an extended period of time.

Three-person occupancy
We have designed a limited number of larger rooms for permanent three-person occupancy. Designated permanent three-person rooms are supplied with furnishings designed and purchased especially for this use. Student-provided lofts are not permitted in these rooms.

Permanent three-person rooms are offered at the regular double-occupancy rate. No refunds will accrue to the residents of a permanent, three-person room.

Fitness Facilities

Miles Hall, Pritchard Hall, Ambler-Johnston Hall, and New Residence Hall East have fitness centers that are open 40 hours each week. For more information and registration for current residents go to Fitness Room Registration.

Holiday Closings

Residence halls, with the exception of the graduate/professional student buildings (Main Campbell and Payne Halls), Cochrane, Newman, and Hillcrest Halls, close during academic breaks. For more information, visit www.studentprograms.vt.edu/housing/opening_closing.php.

Keys

Your Room Key
When you check in, you will be issued keys for your room and mailbox. In some buildings this will be two separate keys. In most situations, however, one key will operate both the lock to your room and your mailbox. In some buildings, keys to suite doors and shower rooms are also issued.

If you lose your keys, the lock on your door or suite or shower door will be changed at a cost to you. There is also a replacement charge for a mailbox key. You should report lost keys immediately to your area office for replacement. Virginia State law prohibits the duplication of residence hall keys for any reason.

Locked Out?
If you find yourself locked out of your room, resident advisors/house managers have access to master keys and may only unlock the room to which you are assigned. This service is provided as a courtesy, but keep in mind that abuse (more than three unlocks per semester) of this service may jeopardize your privileges.

If your RA/house manager is not available and you have lost your room key(s), contact your area office first, and then the main office at 109 East Eggleston Hall, if needed. Housekeeping and maintenance staff members are not permitted to let residents into their rooms.

For more information, visit www.studentprograms.vt.edu/housing/keyaccess.php.

Leaving the Corps of Cadets (Freshmen)

How do I move into on-campus civilian housing if I leave the Corps of Cadets?
Freshmen students leaving the Corps at the end of the six-week moratorium may do so only if released from the Corps and only if housing is available in civilian space; if not, they must remain in the Corps until civilian space is available. There is no waiting list kept by our office. Space is available on a first come first served basis. Students leaving before that time without a medical reason are required to leave the University. Returning cadet students will be reassigned to the civilian areas of campus as long as space is available upon presentation of the outprocessing paperwork.

During out-processing, there is a time to visit the housing office to receive space in civilian housing. We cannot assign you before you are at that phase in your processing. Closer to the time of your planned move, please contact our office to check on availability to ascertain our housing situation for civilians.

Lofts and Wooden Structures

How can I loft my provided loftable bed?
Students that have loftable beds in their rooms may request a "loft kit" to raise their bed to the higher setting. Students should have their resident advisor submit a work order to have the kit delivered.

Lofts
The Residence Hall Federation (RHF) offers rental of optional, university-endorsed loft kits. You may choose to rent or purchase a kit through an approved RHF vendor, or you may decide to build your own. However, if you decide to build your own loft, be sure to obtain a copy of the loft construction policy and guidelines. If your room contains bunked beds and you would like to de-bunk them, you must obtain single bed ends from the housekeeping supervisor in your community. Keep in mind that all single beds must be disassembled, re-bunked, and bed ends must be returned before you move out of the room.

Lofts are prohibited in:

Phase I and III of Oak Lane Community Cochrane Johnson Payne Hillcrest Harper New Residence Hall East East Campbell

Main Campbell Peddrew-Yates Slusher Wing Slusher Tower Thomas West Eggleston Main Eggleston And in rooms designated for three-person occupancy

Keep in mind that your room must be restored to its original condition before you checkout.

Self-built Loft Specifications
Residents who choose to include a metal or wooden loft in their room furnishings may rent or purchase an approved loft or loft kit from the Residence Hall Federation, or they may construct a loft using the outlined specifications. Residents who want to build a loft of their own design (not an approved kit or our specifications) must present a detailed drawing of the plan to Housing and Dining Services for approval prior to construction. For more information, visit www.studentprograms.vt.edu/movein/lofts.php.

Lofting Configurations

Lofts must be placed in a safe configuration in the room. Students may not connect or place lofts beside each other to create a platform or double bed, as there is a potential for the lofts to separate and the student to fall. Students are not allowed to mechancially connect the lofts in such a configuration (whether personal, rented, or using pre-existing furniture in the room). University-owned furniture cannot be altered or damaged. The residence life and housing staff may require students to adjust, remove, or reconfigure furniture at their discretion if there is a possibility of danger to the residents, the furnishing of the room, or the facility.

 

Mail Services

Mail and Packages
Mail is delivered by name and box number to a locked mailbox in residential mail rooms Monday through Friday. Your mailbox number is the same as your residence hall room number.

Residents of Brodie, Rasche, Monteith, Thomas, and Oak Lane may retrieve mail from the mailboxes in their building. Packages may be picked up in Owens mailroom (23 Owens Hall).

Residents of East Campbell, Main Eggleston, West Eggleston, Payne, Slusher Wing, Slusher Tower, New Residence Halls East, and Peddrew-Yates may retrieve their mail from the lobby of Peddrew-Yates. Packages may be picked up in the Peddrew-Yates mailroom (located in hallway across from mailboxes).

Residents of Hillcrest and Main Campbell may retrieve mail from the mailboxes in their building. Packages may be picked up in the West Ambler-Johnston mailroom (located in next to mailboxes).

Residents of West and East Ambler-Johnston, Cochrane, and Harper may retrieve their mail on the first floor of West Ambler-Johnston. Packages may be picked up in the West Ambler-Johnston mailroom (located in next to mailboxes).

Residents of Barringer, Vawter, Miles, Johnson, O'Shaughnessy and Newman may retrieve their mail in the basement of Newman. Packages may be picked up in the Newman mailroom.

Residents of Lee and Pritchard may retrieve their mail at the Pritchard mailroom. Packages may be picked up in the Pritchard mailroom (located next to mailboxes).

You will receive a notice in the mail when you have a package. Pickup hours are posted at each mailroom. Please note that package pickup locations are subject to change.

Your campus address is as follows:

Your Name
Your room number, Your residence hall
Blacksburg, VA 24060 -00xx   

where 00xx is the specific zip code extension for your building.

Parking

All vehicles, including motorcycles, parked on the Virginia Tech campus must be registered with the Parking Services Office and must display a university parking permit. Parking permits are available for full year, semester, summer, or daily, and an appropriate fee is charged for each permit. Bicycles must also be registered and this is available free of charge. Visitors are required to display a visitor permit provided free of charge. For more information about parking or to request a parking regulations handbook, contact the Parking Services Office at 455 Tech Center Drive, or call (540) 231-3200. For more information, visit www.parking.vt.edu.

Pest Control

Extermination
Although not generally a problem, bugs occasionally appear in a community of our size. If you have a problem, please contact our staff. To expedite the process, please download and complete the form below. This form can either be delivered to 109 East Eggleston Hall or you can give it to your RA staff member to deliver.

Download Exterminator Request Form

Exterminators are scheduled to arrive on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. Requests must be submitted by 8:00 a.m. on the Monday preceding the service day.

For more information, visit www.studentprograms.vt.edu/housing/housekeeping.php.

Phone Services

A special note about our phone system: Every room is on the Virginia Tech ROLM phone system, which is a digital private-PBX. This means that you cannot bring phones, modems, fax machines, or answering machines from home because they will not work with our system. Likewise, our phones won't work in a home. Thus, you won't find any phone related items on our list. The phone system has a voice mail feature to replace the need for an answering machine. All residence hall rooms have high-speed Ethernet access for each student, eliminating the need for a modem.

CNS Student Telecommunications is located in the Student Services Building. It is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. For telephone, data connection, or cable/video failures, call 231-6780.  Do NOT put in a work order through the housing system since the communications network is a separate area of  the University.

For more information, visit www.cns.vt.edu.

Recycling

How can I do my part to help recycle?

• Designate a recycling spot in your room or suite.
• Make sure you and your roommate[s] agree on how to organize the spot for recyclables, and for waste.
• Keep newspapers separate from commingled beverage containers and both separate from waste.
• When you or your roommates get ready to take out the trash be sure the bag is tied up tight.

Where can I take my recyclables?
Residence Hall Consolidated Sites: These should be right outside your building. The recycling container is divided into two compartments, one for commingled beverage containers and one for newspapers.

Public Drop Sites:

• Large, maroon containers with black doors on the sides are stationed in the parking lots at Owens, Dietrick, and Shultz for aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles (#1 & #2), and steel cans.
• The same type of containers - located at the west end of Miles Hall and in the Overflow Lot. The Overflow lot is just west of the Duck Pond and adjacent to Oak Lane. In addition these items can be taken:

Sorted Office Paper: VTR can take typing paper, letterhead, notebook paper, stationery, envelopes with or without windows, computer paper, most junk mail, including the glossy inserts. Staples and paperclips are okay. No waxed paper, cereal or tissue-type boxes, dark brown envelopes, or neon-bright papers.

Glossy Magazines and Catalogs: Check that the magazines and catalogs have glossy covers and glossy pages.

Newspapers

For more information, visit www.recycle.vt.edu.

Residence Hall Lists

We have 45 residence halls to provide shelter and community for our students. For more information, visit www.studentprograms.vt.edu/housing/halllists.php.

Room Assignments

Information on the Housing/Dining Contract, assignments, and other items relating to your on-campus residency can be found at www.studentprograms.vt.edu/housing/assignments.php.

Room Changes

The regular room change process begins a few weeks after each semester's opening. At that time, you can visit your Area Office to learn about current vacancies, and "prospect" for a new room. Student Programs must approve all room changes prior to moving. It is a violation of university policy to move without official permission. For more information, visit www.studentprograms.vt.edu/housing/roomchange.php.

Room Rates

Room and board rates are for enrolled students and are established by the Board of Visitors each year. The Office of Student Programs reserves the right to correct any billing errors and/or fees that do not match the established rates as set forth by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors. Current room and board rates can be found at www.studentprograms.vt.edu/housing/roomboard.php.

Roommate Issues

It is true that some people may be easier for you to live with than others because of different backgrounds, values, goals, and ideas. There are always many sources of potential conflicts between roommates that can be solved with good communication. The first step in solving any conflict is to determine what the issues are. Spend some time thinking about the root of the problem. Determine what YOU think is the cause of the problem, and also consider what you are doing that may be adding to the problem. The next step is to talk to your roommate. Ask him or her how he or she feels things are going. Give him or her the chance to share his or her opinions, and then be sure to provide your opinions. It can be difficult to start this conversation, but it is necessary to solve the situation. Your Resident Advisor can provide you hints regarding how to better communicate during this meeting.

When conversation doesn't seem to work any longer, your Resident Advisor can help. Resident Advisors have been trained in many areas such as communication, leadership, confrontation, assertiveness, and conflict mediation. Their overall objective is to assist students living in the residence halls to grow to adjust in college. It is common for a RA to act as a mediator between roommates in conflict. In doing so, they provide objective and impartial mediation helping roommates listen and talk to each other and resolve conflict. An RA can help you think through ways to approach your roommate about your concerns. Resident Advisors are available for assistance, but you need to ask them for help. They cannot solve your problems or make decisions for you, but they will provide support and understanding as you attempt to do so yourself.

Smoking Policy

Residence halls, like all university buildings, are smoke-free facilities. Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the residence halls, including student rooms. Smokers should not crowd or congregate by doorways. Also, they should dispose of remaining tobacco products in appropriate receptacles.

Television/Cable Service

CNS Student Telecommunications is located in the Student Services Building. It is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.cns.vt.edu.

Trash Disposal

All residence halls are trash free. Each student is responsible for removing their trash from the room and taking it to the nearest trash dumpster. Dumpsters are located outside the building for trash and a separate one is located for recyclables. The dumpster is located as close to their particular building as it can possibly be. Students in Pritchard and Ambler Johnston take their trash out to the compactor located in the service drive of those buildings.

Visitation Options

What are the visitation options?
Option I: Visitation in student rooms by members of the opposite sex is permitted only on Friday through Sunday during the following hours:

• Friday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Saturday
• Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Sunday
• Sunday 10:00 a.m. to Midnight.
• Option I is available on a by-room basis only.

Option 2: Visitation in student rooms by members of the opposite sex is permitted each day during the following hours:

• Sunday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. to Midnight
• Friday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Saturday
• Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2: a.m. Sunday

Option 3: Visitation in student rooms by members of the opposite sex is permitted each day during the following hours:

• Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
• Friday - Sunday 10:00 a.m. Friday to 2:00 a.m. Monday.

Option 4: Visitation in student rooms by members of the opposite sex is unlimited (24 hours/day, 7 days/week).

Please note that visitation does not mean the ability to "sleep over". This is for visiting only and the rights of the occupant's roommate must be considered. Abuse of visitation policies may lead to a judicial referral.

What to Bring/What to Leave at Home

What is provided in a typical room?
Here's a list of what comes in a typical room. Please keep in mind that some rooms may vary. Due to the number of different kinds of each type of furniture in our rooms, we are unable to supply dimensions. Room dimensions given on the Virtual Tour pages include the space used for closets. It's often best to wait until after move-in to buy additional furniture, that way you'll know better what space you have available.

• Two desks
• Two chairs
• Two chests of drawers (or one double chest)
• One bunk bed with two mattresses (can be debunked)
• Overhead florescent light
• Sink
• Mirror and medicine cabinet with light
• Two closets
• Phone
• Coat hooks
• Towel racks
• Typically about 4 outlets
• Window coverings (blinds/shades)

What should I bring with me?
This is a checklist of items that we suggest you bring to school in order to live comfortably in a residence hall. Print this page out and use it as a shopping list. Some of the items on that are on the list for both roommates to bring could be shared if well planned. We highly recommend that you contact your roommate as soon as you get your assignment to determine who will bring what out of the shared list. Below are some items each roommate should consider bringing to campus. Some of these items are available from vendors sponsored by the Residence Hall Federation.

Plates (2) Bowls (2) Forks (2) Knives (2) Spoons (2) Can opener Glasses (4) Bag clips (2) Hot pot Liquid dish detergent Scrub brush/sponge Roll of paper towels Trash bags Glass cleaner Hand soap Hammer Shower caddy UL listed power strips with over-current/breaker protection(2) Screwdrivers 9/16" wrench for loft (2) Sewing kit

Envelopes & Stamps Address book Desk drawer organizer Pen cup Stapler Tape dispenser 3-hole punch 3 1/2" note cards Poster putty Highlighters Pens & Pencils Calendar Alarm clock Soap travel case Desk clock Small fan for bed/desk Clip on light/arm lamp (2) Umbrella/Raincoat Good pair of walking shoes Laptop Hand towels (2) Bath towels (2) Wash cloths (2)

Set of sheets (extra-long twin) (2) Pillow Comforter/Bedspread Trash can Extra batteries Notepads 3-ring binder/notebook (5) Resealable plastic bags Items that should be shared: Vacuum cleaner Microwave Carpet TV DVD player Stereo Refrigerator Large fan for window Carpet/Rug

Is there anything I should not bring?
A special note about our phone system: Every room is on the Virginia Tech ROLM phone system, which is a digital private-PBX. This means that you cannot bring phones, modems, fax machines, or answering machines from home because they will not work with our system. Likewise, our phones won't work in a home. Thus, you won't find any phone related items on our list. The phone system has a voice mail feature to replace the need for an answering machine. All residence hall rooms have high-speed Ethernet access for each student, eliminating the need for a modem.

There are also limitations and restrictions that you must be familiar with. Review the information on the fire safety web pages and the residence hall decoration policy. For example, all halogen lights, flammable curtains, and extension cords are prohibited

Work Orders

You can submit your own requests for repairs, replacement or services using the online work order system. You will be able to track progress on the request, and provide customer service feedback on the service received. Resident Advisors will be responsible for reporting work order requests in common areas, (such as the hallway, bathroom, or lounge) while general students will enter work order requests for their individual room.

Work orders are completed on a priority basis as determined by the maintenance staff supervisors. Work orders affecting safety and those having significant impact on resident comfort are handled before convenience or low-impact work orders.

Withdrawals/Resignations

Students who have entered the Housing Application Process
Important information for students who have entered the Housing Application Process for the upcoming academic year:

1. If you resign after entering your student ID number in the Housing Application Process, but before the contract offering, you will not be eligible for a contract offer in the spring semester (because you will not be an actively-enrolled student at the University). Your ID number will "kick out" of the random number program, and you will not be assigned a priority number, or offered a contract in the spring. If you are interested in living on campus next year, you may request to have your name placed on the waiting list. Priority for contract offers and for room assignment of those on the waiting list is lower than that of students in the regular Housing Application Process.

2. If you resign after returning a housing/dining contract for the upcoming academic year (except for official medical resignations), your contract is voided. Your priority number is likewise nullified. You may enter your name on the waiting list for housing, as outlined above. Please note that offers to the waiting list are not guaranteed. In recent years, we have not offered contracts to those on the list.

Steps in resigning/withdrawing from the university for on-campus residents

1. Obtain Student Resignation/Withdrawal form from your Academic Dean or from the University Registrar.

2. Obtain the appropriate "academic" signatures on form. Cadets must also obtain Commandant's signature.

3. Remove your belongings from room and clean room. All personal effects must be removed from University property. Failure to do so will result in additional per diem fees and/or storage charges. We will not be responsible for abandoned personal property.

4. Check out of room with any RA staff member from your building, using the Room Condition form on file in Head RA office.

5. Checking out during Student Programs office hours (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., M-F): bring your Student Resignation/Withdrawal form to your area office (close to where you pick up your mail for most residents) or to 109 East Eggleston Hall, the main housing office. If you have checked out of your room, we will sign your Student Resignation/Withdrawal form. Return this form to the University Registrar.

Checking out during evening or weekend (outside Student Programs office hours): give signed and completed Room Condition form, keys, and Student Resignation/Withdrawal form to RA staff member from your building. The RA will bring the form to the area housing office. If everything is satisfactory, we will sign the Student Resignation/Withdrawal form, and forward it to the University Registrar via campus mail. These materials are time-sensitive. To be sure that all paperwork reaches its destination in a timely manner, you should arrange to check out during regular office hours and personally deliver the materials to our office and to the University Registrar. Student Programs assumes no responsibility for lost or delayed Student Resignation/Withdrawal forms.

6. We will not sign your Student Resignation/Withdrawal form unless you have checked out of your room. If you have not fulfilled all check-out requirements, you will be responsible for any ensuing fees and/or penalties associated with your actions.

7. Checking out before mid-semester (as specified by the University refund schedule administered by Student Accounts): you will receive a pro-rated refund of housing and dining fees. Checking out after mid-semester: you will receive a pro-rated refund of dining fees; no housing refund accrues following mid-semester deadline. Refunds are processed according to the actual day of check-out. Refunds, less any outstanding charges owed to the University, are processed through the Office of the Bursar. You will receive any refund due within four to six weeks. Questions about refunds, such as the mailing address that will be used or if direct deposit is available, should be directed to Student Accounts.

Your Responsibilities as a Student

Students are encouraged to make healthy and responsible decisions concerning lifestyles as members of the university community. The University recognizes a student as an adult and expects that students will assume responsibility for their actions. The University offers assistance to students through a number of services, such as the University Counseling Center, to discuss issues concerning difficult decisions during the college years.

Student are reminded that they are responsible for:

1. Making all payments to the University by established deadlines
2. In the event of a late payment, paying all interest charges and collection costs as outlined in University Policies
3. Knowing and following all University policies, rules, and regulations as outlined in the Hokie Handbook (including University Policies for Student Life) and in their respective Undergraduate or Graduate Catalog. The University reserves the right to change these regulations during the academic year and notice is hereby given of that possibility. The most current versions of these publications are available online (anyone needing assistance in accessing copies should contact the Office of Judicial Affairs or the Office of the University Registrar).

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